The intertwining of all of Harry Potter’s primary characters and their journeys is masterfully done. However, there are a few characters that have matured to the point where we couldn’t have envisioned them any better. Here are a few of our favorite character arcs from the Harry Potter series:
1. Remus Lupin
For the majority of his life, Remus Lupin strove to distance himself from the public, ashamed of his werewolf status and concerned about how his affliction may damage others. Lupin’s hiding was clearly a mistake, as evidenced by the friendships he developed as a Hogwarts student and later as a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. As a companion, teacher, and leader, he had a lot to offer. He considered fleeing when his wife Tonks became pregnant with his child, which he feared might be a werewolf like him. However, Lupin swiftly returned to Tonks and spent out the rest of the time as a kind, wise, and fearless man.
2. Draco Malfoy
During the first several years of Harry Potter, Malfoy was nothing more than a bully. However, if we understand the challenges he experiences as the son of a bigoted Death Eater, his actions make sense. Throughout The Half-Blood Prince and The Deathly Hallows, his struggle is one of the most dramatic characterizations in the entire novel. Draco is faced with a task that he is immediately opposed to accomplishing, yet he must seek his father’s approval by any means necessary due to his deep-seated concerns. Because of the excellent writing, everyone begins to sympathize with one of the most despised characters.
3. Kreacher, The House Elf
In both the novels and the movies, the basic plot of Kreacher’s story is the same. While initially obnoxious, he eventually assists Harry in locating Slytherin’s locket in his quest to fight Voldemort. However, the films leave out a lot of information. In the books, Kreacher is initially grimmer, killing Sirius by assisting Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange. This emphasizes the importance of his salvation when he subsequently vows loyalty to Harry, once the latter begins to treat him with care. It’s an essential storyline, one that tells a lot about how house-elves are treated, but it didn’t make the final cut.
4. Neville Longbottom
For years at Hogwarts, Neville was viciously harassed and humiliated. In The Sorcerer’s Stone, he displayed remarkable courage and moral fortitude when he stood up to Harry, Ron, and Hermione and attempted to keep them from fleeing Gryffindor Tower. Neville became the leader of Dumbledore’s Army and the opposition to the Death Eaters at Hogwarts. He was also the one who destroyed Voldemort’s penultimate Horcrux, Nagini.
5. Harry Potter
Since Harry is the main protagonist in the series, it’s only natural that his character journey is the most comprehensive. Before he could eventually live a quiet life, Harry had to learn a lot of things and conquer a lot of perils and foes. Harry wasn’t always the most likable character, but as he grew older, he got more tolerant and less impetuous. Not to forget that he defeated Voldemort, which is a noteworthy achievement for someone so young.
